Umbrella water control

ABSTRACT

The “Umbrella Water Control” is a gutter with tubes, affixed to the circumference of the umbrella. It is snapped onto the circumference of the umbrella, which is supported by a retractable frame. The gutter channels the water flowing off the umbrella&#39;s surface through the tubes. The gutter is made of plastic and nylon (or material used to make the umbrella covering). All tubes are made of plastic and act like a straw to funnel the water. They are joined into one main tube that extends along the stick of the umbrella. At the end of the main tube is an added extension that is made to open like an antenna where the water continues. This allows the user to direct where the water flow is deposited. This prevents the excess dripping of water on by-standers as the umbrella user walk, sits or stands in an arena, stadium or crowded area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part from application Ser. No. 10/028,266 filed on Dec. 28, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The inventions “Removable rain water collecting device for umbrellas” patent number: 5178175 classification: 135/48 135/15.1, “Umbrella holder with raindrops collecting means” patent number: 5161560 classification: 135/15.1 135/48 and “Umbrella having automatically closed water collector” patent number: 5385162 classification: 135/48 135/34.2 apparatus collects the water after the umbrella is closed. They are designed to avoid messy cleanup and dripping after the umbrella is closed.

[0003] This invention “Umbrella Water Control” is made to channels the rainwater while the umbrella is in use. Unlike the inventions mention here after; classification 135/33 patent numbers:—3,042,056 “Eave Trough Construction”, 1706341 “Umbrella Attachment”, 664,157 “Umbrella Cover”, 18,877, 5,261 unknown Improve means of “Collection and Running of Rain water form Umbrella” and “3209” the “Umbrella Water Control” does not require the user to tilt the umbrella in order to drain the dripping water. The water is drained from all sides by a straw like tube that is elongated along the umbrella's handle extending to the ground. Unlike the other named devices the “Umbrella Water Control” is detachable. This claimed invention “Umbrella Water Control” shelters the surrounding people from the rain dripping off the umbrella in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] Objective 1: To avoid wetting others around you with the flow of water from the umbrella.

[0005] Objective 2: To provide a device that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0006] Objective 3: To provide a device that is easy to put in place (affix).

[0007] Objective 4: To have the choice of opening the device and use it as a gutter umbrella, or close it and use it as a normal umbrella.

[0008] Objective 5: To provide the user with the ability to control the flow of water off the umbrella surface and where it will be deposited

[0009] Objective 6: To provide a device that can be adaptable to all types of umbrella such as a picnic table umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010]FIG. 1: Shows an opened umbrella and the spokes that support the spherical covering of the umbrella. The arrow indicates the areas where the frame holds the gutter in place.

[0011]FIG. 2: Shows an addition affixed to the circumference of the umbrella herein reference as V. V is the gutter made with nylon and plastic (or material used to make the umbrella covering) with a light rubbery stretch on the outside of the umbrella to channel the water. A light rubbery stretch, so that it can be closed with the umbrella. The inner side of V is made to stick to the inside of the umbrella so it can be evenly distributed on either side. This will allow the water to move to the draining points of V. I shows the inner part that sticks to the umbrella's cover.

[0012]FIG. 2a: shows a side view of the inside of V and the drainage points (indicated by I) that are found in each segment of the device. To avoid excess water from settling in the gutter, the opposite ends of the draining points meet at angular point.

[0013]FIG. 3: Shows how V will attach to the umbrella. W indicates the frame to hold V in place. V is evenly sealed on all 8 frames forming the shape of a gutter. The arrows indicates the inner end of W which is made like a clip that is snapped/locked on to the arrow indicated points in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4: Shows the tubes that drain the rain collected in V referenced as X There are 8 draining points on V as indicated. It is then broken down into 4. X is a straw like tube that funnels the water.

[0015]FIG. 5: Shows the point at which the four X points connects into one main tube indicated by the letter Y. It is the point where the tubes join into one and then extends toward Z. Y is fastened with a clip that is affixed to the adjuster of the umbrella (the part that controls the opening and closing of the umbrella). Between the points of Y & Z indicated by I, X folds like the bellows of an accordion when the umbrella is in a close position.

[0016]FIG. 6: Shows an added extension to X indicated by the letter Z. Z is made to open like an antenna that can extend and retract and also allows the water to flow through. Z is pointed in the direction the user wishes to release the water. Z is also held in place by a clip while it's in an extended and retractable position. Refer to FIG. 8 for detail on clip.

[0017]FIG. 7: Shows a close-up view of W that is used to hold V. I show the spokes of the umbrella being clasp into W. II shows the retractable elbow of W in an open position, which locks into an 80° angle. III show two screw to give W a stronger grip to the spokes. Refer in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 7a: Shows a close-up view of W. I show the spokes of the umbrella being clasp into W. II shows the retractable elbow of W in a close position, which locks into a reverse 80° angle. III show two screw to give W a stronger grip to the spokes. Refer in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 8: Shows a close-up view of the clip referenced in FIG. 6. I is a screw used to adjust the grip of the clip on the umbrella stick. II shows where Z will be affixed in the clip with a screw that is used to adjust the grip referred to as III.

[0020]FIG. 9: Shows a close-up view of the clip referenced in FIG. 5. I is a screw used to adjust the grip of the clip unto the adjuster. II shows where Y is affixed in the clip with a screw that is used to adjust the grip referred to as III

[0021]FIG. 10: Shows a close-up view of Y. I shows the point at which the four tubes connects into Y. II shows the point where X folds like an accordion's bellow.

[0022]FIG. 11: shows the view of an umbrella fitted with the “Umbrella Water Control’ in place.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The “Umbrella Water Control” is a gutter with tubes, affixed to the circumference of the umbrella. It is snapped onto the circumference of the umbrella and used to channel the water flowing off the umbrella's surface through the tubes. It prevents the excess dripping of water on by-standers as the umbrella user walks, sits or stands in an arena, stadium or crowded area.

[0024] The gutter is made of plastic and nylon (or material used to make the umbrella covering). It should have a light rubbery stretch/elasticity that will allow it to stretch along the outside of the circumference of the umbrella and collapses when the umbrella is closed. One side of the gutter is made to stick to the inner side of the umbrella's cover (about 3 inches from the edge). This allows the gutter to be evenly distributed along the circumference and is secured in such away that it allows the water to move to its draining points. To avoid excess water from settling in the gutter, the opposite ends of the draining points meet at an angular point.

[0025] A frame supports the gutter. The frame consists of retractable elbows made with a clip at one end. The clip is snapped on to the end of spokes of the umbrella. Two screws adjust the grasp of the clip. The retractable elbow gives the user the option of the use of the gutter when the elbow is opened to an 80° angle or not, when the elbow is in a close position.

[0026] Connected to the gutter are several tubes that drain the water. The tubes are joined into one main tube that extends along the stick of the umbrella. The main tube is fastened with a clip that is affixed to the adjuster of the umbrella (the part that controls the opening and closing of the umbrella). All tubes are made of plastic and act like a straw to funnel the water. However the main tube is made like the bellows of an accordion. This allows the tube to fold when the umbrella is in a close position. At the end of the main tube is an added extension that is made to open like an antenna where the water continues. The user positions it to direct where the water flow is deposited. 

1: A detachable gutter with 8 angular drainage points allowing for immediate drainage. 2: A retractable elbow frame that supports the gutter 3: The means of directing the water flowing off the umbrella in the direction the user chooses. 4: The feature of opening and closing the gutter. 